Congratulations Luke Kerstetter #psuaged20 member hired!

Luke Kerstetter hired at Solanco High School

The Center for Professional Personal Development would like to congratulate Luke Kerstetter for formally being hired at Solanco High School. We asked Luke a few questions about his new job and what Solanco FFA is all about!

Luke is originally from Mount Pleasant Mills, PA, and will now be teaching down in southern Lancaster county, where he will be the third agricultural educator for the high school. Luke was involved with LEAD Society during his time at University Park, and was a member of the Altoona Ag Club and Collegiate FFA during his time at his branch campus.

Luke has spent the past few months student teaching at Solanco, where he taught Power and Machinery Technology, Hand & Power Tools, Animal Science, Welding, and Ag Business Operations. Mr. Carey Kalupson will be retiring from his position, and although Luke says he is replacing him in the position, he will no doubt have difficulty replacing the years of knowledge of one of the best ag mechanics teachers in the state.

During his time student teaching, Luke shared that one of the most memorable things he was able to do was allowing students to essentially blow up engines to see how they break (as long as the engines were not going back into service).

In his new position, Luke will mostly be teaching the ag mechanics courses, specifically Hand & Power Tools, Power and Machinery Technology, Building Construction, and Welding.

On the FFA side, Solanco has 186 FFA members on roster, and Luke shared that one of the most interesting things the chapter does is hold a community breakfast to end National FFA week, which can attract more than 150 people.

With Luke joining, we only see the program continuing to grow and evolve thanks to the leadership of himself and his fellow teachers. When asked to give some perspective on what the future holds, and this new chapter of life he is about to embark on, Luke shared “Let my teaching fall on you like rain; let my speech settle like dew. Let my words fall like rain on tender grass, like gentle showers on young plants.” Deuteronomy 32:2, a very fitting piece from someone more then ready to lead the next generation of agriculturalists.

Although we will miss seeing Luke around Penn State, his advice can be applied to all of our lives;

"Some days will be rough to get through on this journey, but always see it through. Never give up on your journey to your dream career. There is a student out there that needs your guidance."

Congratulations again Luke, we look forward to seeing where your future takes you!